Well!! It seems like this has struck a chord on several levels. I received an email from Cakewalk asking what they can do to make this happen, and am email from Henry asking me to write up a proposal for both options. One of the (many) things I love about working with Gibson is that ideas can become reality rapidly.
 
So here are the next steps.
 
Re (1), I'm checking into whether it would be possible to use Gibson's Nashville showroom for a get-together. I don't know if there are legal or zoning issues or whatever...other than that, I can check out the costs for a hotel conference room or something. So this requires further research.
 
Re (2), the most complicated issue is setting something up a "tour" where I could be someplace different every day and be no more than maybe a four hour drive from each other. For example something doable would be Nashville, Bowling Green, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Birmingham, Huntsville, then back to Nashville...or go west, starting with Memphis. Or north, and move through Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana...but if the tour could be set up in a way that makes sense and fits in a week, this could happen pretty soon.
 
So, here's what I need next for (2).
 
If you would like to be visited (and don't be shy, ideally I'd love to have a range from total beginner to hardcore user), PM me with your location and what day(s) of the week would work best for you. Let me see what the response is and whether the logistics could work. If so, we'll work out the details by PM.
 
And yes, a big part of this would be the videos so others can participate vicariously. (Webinars will probably be part of the mix in the future as well.)
 
THANKS FOR THE RESPONSE!!
 
 

John
I'm in favor of anything Craig wants to do. 

++1

gcolbert
Meh.
Sounds as exciting as a Microsoft Word user's conference with a bunch of Powerpoint presentations on how to type.

 
I think you might underestimate your fellow SONAR users...I run into people from these forums at trade shows, and it's fascinating to find out the many ways people use the program, and some of the techniques they've discovered. I find it inspiring.
 

How about a Gibson 'Music Production' conference where Gibson provides free studio and production resources to (local Nashville?) singer/songwriters (possibly even a few studio musicians) with Cakewalk backing up the effort with production, mastering, and even possibly sessions on CD production (copying, artwork etc.).  The 'Cakewalk Summit' would then center around how to record the various songs that come into the studio, seminars on mixing and mastering those songs, and a sharing of the Sonar Projects to attendees to practice with.  Cool if there would be a couple of big name music producers.

 
That would take several days, a venue, lining up people who could give seminars (and fly them in a well as untangle a nightmare of schedule conflicts), hotel accommodations, a bunch of computers, someone just to manage logistics, and lots of $$$ to cover all of the above. That kind of thing is more the domain of schools with recording classes. I want to do something that's looser, more community-oriented, more guerilla, and have it be fun for all concerned - basically a "live" version of this forum.
 

I like both ideas.  Make it so!  :)

For the Nashville meeting, maybe Cakewalk could negotiate a group discount for a hotel stay.  Even though Arkansas is a neighboring state, it's still a 5 1/2 hour drive there.  I'd try to make it though.  Discussing SONAR and music production over good pizza would be awesome.

The tour sounds exciting too.  While no one would want to see my home studio now because of the guest bed and extra desk crammed in here since having a daughter and now needing a bigger house, a mix rescue would be great.  (Actually, other engineers might want to see my space so they could feel better about their own setup.  :)  And if there's a silver lining, the room is more dead now acoustically because of the bed.)  :)

Craig,
 
You know I'm a BIG Sonar fan (and a bigger Gibson fan).  I've also participated in planning a few international conferences, so I do know just how big a project what I suggested would be (not practical right now).  Please keep it in mind for a couple of years down the road though (I would recommend Bozeman, but Nashville is the right answer). 
 
My post addresses the thing that I think keeps Sonar User events from success.  The attention gets focused on the tools instead of what the tools are for (music).
 
Glen
 

Anderton
 
1. A SONAR user's meeting. This would be  held in Nashville, and would be open to anyone willing to come here for a day. We could compare notes, teach each other tricks,...

I think this is a great idea! I would like to see this as a two day affair, with a more formal approach, i.e. forum members (with you headlining) giving presentations via slide shows or demos of Sonar/Plug-In tricks/effects.
 
I used to put on a 3 day Fly-In in the Southwest for the Cirrus (Aircraft) Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) and it was well attended every year. 
 
I have a cousin in Nashville that my wife and I like to visit at least once a year, and this would be a perfect fit, so count me in!
 
Walt
 

Anderton
I think you might underestimate your fellow SONAR users...I run into people from these forums at trade shows, and it's fascinating to find out the many ways people use the program, and some of the techniques they've discovered. I find it inspiring.

 
That's exactly why all fellow users should start creating video content for Sonar. We all think and work differently so seeing people use certain features in unique ways is great for the community. I'm thinking of eventually doing some myself, but it'll be geared toward Hip Hop production.

Craig, are you thinking about putting out a call for papers/presenters?

gcolbert
Craig, are you thinking about putting out a call for papers/presenters?

Whoa! Gotta walk first before we can run. I just threw out (1) as a low-key. local event and (2) as something based on Fidelity Music's thinking: "We all think and work differently so seeing people use certain features in unique ways is great for the community." If I'm there with a video camera, then we can capture the content.
 
If these work out and the process grows organically, I'd be totally onboard with that.

I like the idea Craig. To tell the truth, I'm a bit of an introvert, but I want to support you and Cakewalk. While I'm not sure what I'd get out of a trip to some other town to sit around with other people who sit around listening to music, I'm game to try anything once.
 
:-)
 
I'll do my best to make it if you host it.